Reliance Jio has suspended its planned express home delivery service for SIM cards following objections from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) over security concerns.FoneArena
📦 Jio’s Express SIM Delivery Initiative
On April 16, Jio informed DoT Secretary Neeraj Mittal of its intention to launch a quick home delivery service for SIM cards starting April 25. This initiative aimed to enhance customer convenience by expediting the onboarding process, similar to Bharti Airtel’s partnership with Blinkit for 10-minute SIM deliveries.
🛑 DoT’s Security Concerns
The DoT raised objections to the practice of customers performing self-KYC (Know Your Customer) authentication after receiving SIM cards at home. Citing national security concerns, the department mandated that Aadhaar-based self-KYC must be completed before the delivery of SIM cards. This directive led to the suspension of both Airtel’s and Jio’s express SIM delivery services.
🔄 Industry Response
Airtel is currently reassessing its SIM card home delivery service to ensure compliance with the new regulations. The company plans to restore the service after aligning with the DoT’s requirements, although the delivery timeframe may be extended due to the need for prior customer verification.
🔍 Implications for Telecom Operators
The express home delivery of SIM cards was seen as a strategic move by telecom operators to attract new customers and expand their 5G user base. However, the DoT’s emphasis on completing self-KYC before SIM delivery underscores the importance of balancing customer convenience with national security
